Outdoor Adventures and Hidden Gems of Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Your driver will be waiting for you atJuan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley, to take you to your hotel.

Overnight stay at a charming hotel in the San José area .

Rafting Adventure and Exploration of a Tropical Paradise! 

Early in the morning, depart from San José on a shared shuttle to Siquirres for a rafting trip down the Rio Pacuare, which will take you to your luxury lodge nestled in the heart of the jungle.

Along the way, you’ll stop to enjoy a traditional breakfast before arriving at the Aventuras Naturales operations center in Siquirres, where experienced guides will brief you on safety procedures and rafting techniques.

Ready for adventure, you’ll board the rafts and begin navigating through canyons and lush vegetation in the midst of an impenetrable, untamed jungle.

Once you’re there, you’ll realize that some of the landscapes are truly breathtaking!

You’re scheduled to arrive at the lodge around lunchtime.

Overnight stay at a luxury lodge in the heart of the Pacuare region.

Day Trip to Explorethe Pacuare Region

You’ll enjoy a free day to explore the area around your lodge, with access to various hiking trails, thePacuare River below, and a wide range of on-site activities offered by your lodge.

Another night in a luxury lodge, in the heart of the Pacuare region.

Another Rafting Trip and the Drive to Arenal

After being awakened by the sounds of the rainforest and the roar of the Rio Pacuare’s rapids, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast.

After some free time to enjoy the surrounding nature ,you’ll set off on your rafting trip to reach the operations center in Siquirres.

Note: Approximately 3 hours of river rafting; Class III & IV rapids ranging from moderate to difficult.

Pick up your rental car in Siquirres.

Continue by car to the La Fortuna region and the majestic Arenal Volcano (1,635 meters).

Along the way, you can stop in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, an important river port since colonial times, whose forests provide a refuge for tapirs, sloths, coatis, and various species of monkeys.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours

Overnight stay at a prestigious hotel in the Arenal region, one of the most sought-after in the country!

Today’s itinerary: Mountain biking around LakeArenal

An experience designed for adventurers and cycling enthusiasts! The main landscapes you’ll encounter along the route include forest, volcano, and lake.

You’ll set off from the Lake Arenal Dam, following a trail along the lake’s shore. At the end of the trail, you’ll approach the majestic Arenal Volcano, then continue southeast of the volcano before returning via the main road.

During this journey through the mountains, you’ll be able to spot numerous birds, monkeys, and pizotes (raccoons).

Info: easy to moderate difficulty.

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a relaxing moment at an intimate hot springs resort that we particularly love.

The hot waters come directly from the springs of the Arenal Volcano, without ever coming into contact with the magma.

You’ll have the opportunity to dine on-site to further enjoy the setting.

Second night at a prestigious hotel in the Arenal region, one of the most sought-after in the country!

Exploring Guanacaste and Rincón de la Vieja

Routefrom Arenal to Rincón de la Vieja.

Departure for the province of Guanacaste, home of the Sabaneros—those proud and colorful cowboys.

You’ll travel along Lake Arenal, an ideal spot for windsurfing, before reaching Cañas, where you can stop at Las Pumas de Cañas Wildlife Park, a private sanctuary for big cats (jaguars, pumas, jaguarundis, margays, ocelots, etc.).

Then arrive in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park region. Established in 1973, the park is home to a very high concentration of orchids, including the local flower, the “Guaria morada ” (Guarianthe Skinneri).

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

Overnight stay in a superior room at a superb resort in Rincon de la Vieja, a true nature reserve where you can enjoy a wide variety of activities!

Today’s itinerary: horseback riding and tubing

After a 45-minute horseback ride through the dry tropical forest, you’ll arrive at La Catarata Victoria, where you’ll receive your own tube for tubing.

You’ll then float down the crystal-clear Río Negro and navigate through turbulent rapids. This fun-filled experience is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore this Guanacaste landscape.

Approximate duration: 2.5 hours

Second night in a superior room at a superb resort in Rincón de la Vieja, a true nature reserve where you can enjoy a wide variety of activities!

Explore Monteverde and its cloud forest!

The road from Rincón de La Vieja to Monteverde.

We set off for the Monteverde region, whose nature reserve offers views of alpine pastures in the heart of the Tilarán mountain range.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

Then, at dusk, you’ll set out to explore the rainforest just as most of the animals are waking up and taking over the area… Colorful insects, nocturnal mammals, snakes, and other wonders await you for a truly magical experience in the heart of the jungle.

Approximate duration: 1 hour

Overnight stay at a luxury hotel in Monteverde with exemplary environmental practices.

Set out to explore the forest high above the canopy of Monteverde!

You’ll explore the treetops by gliding along cables on zip lines from one platform to the next. The entire network consists of 14 platforms (spanning a total length of 3 km) built high in the trees.

Thrills guaranteed—in complete safety!

Other suggested activities:

– Nature reserves: Santa Elena, Bosque de los Niños, Curi Cancha

– Birdwatching

– Orchid garden

– “Agricultural” tours: coffee plantation, sugarcane plantation, cheese factory

– Wildlife observation (reptiles, amphibians, insects, butterflies…)

– Canopy exploration (suspension bridges, cable car)

– Hiking and horseback riding

– Canyoning

Another night at a high-end hotel in Monteverde with exemplary environmental practices.

Canyoning, then on to Manuel Antonio and the Pacific Coast!

You’ll start with a half-day of canyoning in the heart of lush vegetation, crossing rivers, waterfalls, and slippery rock faces in a tropical setting!

You’ll rappel down a total of 7 waterfalls ranging from 7 to 40 meters in height.

An activity for thrill-seekers—adrenaline rushes guaranteed, all in complete safety!

Then you’ll drive from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.

Departure for Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

Weather permitting, you’ll have the chance to spot crocodiles on the Tarcoles River before reaching Manuel Antonio.

Approximate duration: 4 hours.

Overnight stay at a luxurious hotel in Manuel Antonio offering a high-end experience in the heart of the tropical landscape.

Exploring Manuel Antonio National Park

Meet early in the morning for a tour with your local English-speaking private guide through Manuel Antonio National Park.

This park combines magnificent beaches with a coral reef and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Your day will therefore be filled with swimming in crystal-clear waters, relaxing on fine sandy beaches, and strolling through the tropical vegetation…

The area is also ideal for spotting numerous animals, such as sloths and squirrel monkeys.

To round out the day, you’ll leave the long beaches of the Manuel Antonio region behind to venture deep into the dry and humid tropical forests along the Savegre River.

Along this short drive, enjoy the scenery of the Costanera Sur.

Approximate driving time: 1 hour

Spend the night in a luxury tent nestled deep in the forest, with a private, permanent bathroom, in the Rio Savegre region.

Explore the Rio Savegre region on foot, on horseback, or by raft

A day dedicated to one of the following three activities:

– Horseback ride

Starting from your lodge, enjoy a day of horseback riding through the heart of the rainforest.

The ride will take you up into the mountains, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Rio Savegre Valley andthe Pacific Ocean.

You’re sure to come across a troop of monkeys, a pair of iguanas, or an old sloth along the way.

– Rafting on the Rio Savegre

In the morning, set off in a 4×4 along the dirt roads toward the village of El Silencio, the starting point for a rafting excursion through the Rio Savegre Gorge. The crystal-clear waters and strong current of the Savegre River make it an ideal spot for whitewater rafting (Class III).

Throughout the trip, you’ll stop to observe the local wildlife— cormorants, toucans, and kingfishers —as well as to swim in natural pools at the base of the waterfalls.

– Water Hike

You’ll begin this excursion by crossing the river on a suspension bridge, before heading onto a trail that leads to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Next, discover the village of Quebrada Arroyo, which is involved in anecotourism project, featuring a visit to a farm and the chance to spot squirrels, monkeys, and other local animals. Crossing the suspension bridge—over 100 meters long—above an impressive 35-meter waterfall is a highlight of the day! After a well-deserved lunch, you can enjoy a swim in the waterfalls and discover some of Costa Rica’s marvelous flora and fauna, such as the famous vibrantly colored frogs. You’ll leave the river to venture deeper into the rainforest before boarding a ferry that will take you back to the hotel.

At the end of the day, return to the lodge to relax in this unique and peaceful setting.

Second night in a luxury tent nestled deep in the forest, with a private, permanent bathroom, in the Rio Savegre region.

Heading to the Talamanca Range, the Land of the Quetzal

In the morning, we’ll depart for San Gerardo de Dota (2,200 meters above sea level), known as the Land of the Quetzal.

You’ll pass through the village of Dominical, where we suggest you stop to take a stroll through the Hacienda Barú, located in the heart of the tropical rainforest along a beautiful beach atthe mouth of the Barú River.

Then, you’ll cross Cerro de la Muerte (3,400 meters above sea level), named in memory of the farmers who froze to death while transporting their harvest to San José before the Pan-American Highway was built.

Check in at your hotel at the bottom of another section of the rugged Savegre River valley.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours

You’ll stay at a beautiful hotel in the Dota region, built in the chalet style typical of this mountainous area.
Dinner is included.

Make the most of your final moments in Costa Rica!

You can start your day with a morning stroll along the various trails at your lodge.

You’ll discover the lush vegetation of this unique region of Costa Rica and its many birds, including the iconic quetzal, as well as hummingbirds, trogons, and woodpeckers, among others.

Approximate duration: 2 hours

Second night at your beautiful hotel in the Dota region, featuring the typical chalet-style architecture of this mountainous area.
Dinner is included.

Departure for the capital

You’ll once again cross part of the Cerro de la Muerte (3,400 meters above sea level) before reaching Cartago, Costa Rica’s first city and colonial capital, founded in 1563 by the Spanish conquistador Juan Vásquez de Coronado, who named it Carthage.

Scheduled arrival atJuan Santa María International Airport 3 hours before your international flight’s departure.

Approximate travel time: 3 hours